Frank Bates vs. Fred Fussell — Career Comparison

Fred Fussell built a career as a starting pitcher and Frank Bates as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Fred Fussell posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.86 and WHIP 1.537 compared to 6.33 and 2.082 for Frank Bates. By the career numbers, Fred Fussell had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.